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E3 2010: Konami Announces Silent Hill 8

A new developer and a pledge to take the survival horror franchise back to its roots.

The first three installments in the Silent Hill franchise earned praise and critical acclaim for their creepy atmospherics, disturbing creatures, and just-right balance of exploration, puzzle solving, and combat. Not so much with the next four games in the series. Konami pledged to rectify that problem today at E3 when it announced Silent Hill 8.

Now in development by Czech studio Vatra Games, Konami said Silent Hill is going back to its roots. Expect plenty of disturbing creatures, exploration into places you normally wouldn't dare step foot in, and an evolved combat system.

"We are honoring the rich history and strong following of Silent Hill, and working hard to build another unforgettable horror game that the fans truly deserve," said Martin Schneider, Konami's marketing director.

Konami provides the setup:

The new game begins after a prison transport vehicle careens off the road, leaving lone inmate Murphy Pendleton stranded in Silent Hill. As Pendleton takes in his new surroundings, users will encounter mind-bending puzzles and horrific creatures and otherworld terrors. Armed only with the everyday objects they can find - from wooden chairs to glass bottles - to fend off their enemies, fight or flight responses are left to the player as they unravel a dark, thought-provoking storyline which will appeal to fans of the early, classic Silent Hill series.

Lending a helping hand to establish the franchise's trademark creepy tone, composer Daniel Licht, whose credits include "Children of the Corn," "Hellraiser," and Showtime's "Dexter" is writing the game's score.

Silent Hill 8 (working title) is being developed for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and is set to launch sometime in 2011.

Sharkey says: I still remember playing the first Silent Hill back in the day and being totally freaked and creeped the f' out. Awesome game. The franchise has certainly lost its survival horror throne in recent years, and it will be interesting to find out if Vatra (the fourth studio to tackle Silent Hill) can put all the pieces together.